Teacher Education and Professional Development Commons^™

The Impact Of High-Stakes Testing: Recommendations For Professional School Counselors And Other Support Personnel, Gerra Perkins, Nelda Wellman

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

The positive and negative effects of high-stakes testing are well-documented (Gratz, 2000; Heubert and Hauser, 1999). The development of an accountability system that is based on the results of students’ tests has intensified the pressure to perform for students and schools (Gratz). Many policy decisions and often the promotion of students are determined by these test results – hence the term “high-stakes testing” (Heubert and Hauser). Because of the high stakes involved, pressure for improving scores has an impact on teachers and their practices (Heubert and Hauser; Merrow, 2002).

Intellectual Property, Copyright, And Fair Use In Education, Shaheen Lakhan, Meenakshi Khurana

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

As with other rights, such as liberty and organization, intellectual property (IP) rights are often overlooked or disregarded simply because they are intangible. Yet, IP rights are essential to the workings of our society, and upholding them means greater freedom to invent, create, and advance. IP is an emerging issue within the education arena. While many people think of it as a new concept, its origins date back to the sixteenth century. In 1557, Great Britain began to awaken to the idea of copyright, and the idea took firm root. The creators of the American Constitution included it in Article …

Nature And Application Of Knowledge And Its Significance To Organizational Management Leaders, Heidi Gregory-Mina

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

Epistemology is a branch of philosophy, which provides an individual with tools for understanding what he or she knows, but epistemology cannot be separated from an individual’s metaphysics. It is almost impossible to separate a thinker’s epistemology from his or her metaphysics, because epistemology connects with specific ethics and politics and metaphysics connects all of that, in a coherent philosophical system. Metaphysics connects the philosophical system because epistemology does not fit well with randomness but does connect with specific ethics and politics. In 1854, the term epistemology appears to have been used for the first time, correlating with an intense …

Participative Management, Michael Rivera

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

The theory behind participative management originated in the 1930s as a result of a business study conducted by Elton Mayo, who explored Frederick W. Taylor’s scientific management principles. His findings challenged Taylor’s views, which emphasized the importance of social norms, such as communication, participation, and leadership (Marchant 1976). Decades later, renewed interest in participative management hinged upon the desire for seeking better management practices, namely top-notch quality management systems, better employee relations, and integrated design and production teams (Lawler 1996).

The Symbiotic Nature Of The Leader-Follower Relationship And Its Impact On Organizational Effectiveness, Jillian Gilbert, Sergio Matviuk

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

The field of leadership studies is overflowing with discussions and explorations of leadership contribution and influence (Winston & Patterson, 2005; Miller, 2007). Unfortunately, as some researchers such as Frye, Kisselburgh & Butts (2007) point out, discussions and research on the full capacity and capabilities of followership are scarce. This lack of research limits our understanding about the impact of followership in organizations. The lack of research derives from a leader-centered approach that has traditionally dominated the field of leadership studies (Lord and Brown, 2003). Also, out of the academic circles society still tends to focus on leadership as positions contained …

Urban Versus Rural Community Colleges: A National Study Of Student Gender And Ethnicity, Sharon Waller, Tara Tietjen-Smith, Jason Davis, Michael Copeland

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

Approximately half of the U.S. population currently lives in suburban locales, one-fourth in big cities, and another fourth in small towns and rural areas. Hodgkinson (2003) indicates that the U.S. population is undergoing an increasing migration into rural areas. This relocation holds many challenging and ominous implications for urban and rural higher education as colleges and universities struggle to meet the divergent needs of shifting demographics. Public community colleges are especially impacted by these changes in student populations.

Table Of Contents - Fall 2008, Fort Hays State University College Of Education

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

Academic Leadership Journal Fall 2008 table of contents

Background Checks And Fingerprinting In Public School Systems, Mindy Salmans

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

Data collected by the American Association of University Women indicated that students who are victims of educator sexual misconduct reported that they suffered emotional, educational, and developmental or health effects (Shakeshaft, 2004). At least one third of students reported behaviors that would negatively affect academic achievement. Larry Lezotte, Wilbur Brookeover, and Ron Edmonds found in their research that a safe and orderly environment was one lead indicator of school effectiveness, defined by high student achievement for all students (Lezotte, 2000). Therefore, if we know that a safe and orderly environment is essential to an effective school and we know that …

Finding Artistic Voice: Expressive Critiques Embedded In Teacher Education, Jonathan Silverman

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

Many students in education programs never engage in an artistic experience. Typically, they complete their requirements through writing, oral presentations, seminar discussions, internships, and student teaching. In my classes I have inserted expressive critiques that ask students to demonstrate their reactions and understanding of classroom observations and topics discussed in class through a visual or performance art medium.

How To Build A Better Vision Statement, Shelley Kirkpatrick

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

It is a fact-of-life that an organization must have a formal vision statement. Like any leadership tool, it is only effective if it is done right. Research has demonstrated time and again that a vision statement can improve organizational performance as well as individual follower performance, but only if the vision contains certain characteristics (Baum, Locke, & Kirkpatrick, 1998; Kirkpatrick, 2004; Kirkpatrick & Locke, 1996; Kirkpatrick, Wofford, & Baum, 2002).

Importance Of Eq Skills For On-Line Professors, Joseph Neptune

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

Distance learning has become widely used around the world and is available in a number of forms that greatly reduce the restrictions imposed on by the traditional class room environment. Various platforms allow the professors to hold live lectures, utilize PowerPoint presentations, and provide a learning environment that is as close to the campus lecture experience. Distance learning has grown and is continuing to grow in popularity as more and more colleges and universities are offering distance and hybrid programs.

A Systematic Approach For Training Candidates To Use The Teacher Work Sample, Beth Walizer, Taggart Germaine, Keith Dreiling

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

The purpose of this paper is to describe the benefits of scaffolding the work sample criteria through a teacher preparation program for elementary education candidates. This article illustrates the way that Fort Hays State University’s teacher education program has successfully implemented a work sample process. A process of scaffolding the criteria was woven throughout the elementary teacher education program to instruct candidates on how to develop, implement, and assess instructional units of study. As a way to describe the teacher work sample process, the authors have contextualized the model, provided components of a teacher work sample, and presented a program …

Perspectives In Provisions For Science And Technology Education In Nigeria: The Way Forward, Adebola Ifamuyiwa, Kehinde Alebiosu

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

The promotion of science and technology education is a warmly embraced venture. Nigerian educational system prioritized science and technology with policies that are favorably disposed to science and technology education. The national policy on education and the national policy on science and technology made good provisions for science and technology education. Government through the education policy empowered the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), the Basic Education, the senior secondary education, technical and scientific education and tertiary education with robust plan for science and technology education in the programmes. (FGN, 2004). The policy came into existence in 1977 and education …

Principals As Mentors In Teacher Education: How Preservice Teachers’ Voices Informed Practice, Anita Varrati, Amy Smith

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

Principals in today’s schools clearly have their work cut out for them. The job has never been easy and the addition of accountability for state standards and assessments just adds to the load. The implications of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) for principals involve spending significant amounts of time on the development of effective classroom teachers. The content of induction programs for new teachers now includes federal and state requirements for licensing and recertification (Highly Qualified Teachers) in addition to aligning new teacher needs with school mission and goals. As a result, the principal’s role with beginning teachers has never …

The Corporatization Of American Education: Analyzing The Relationship Between Job Satisfaction And Productivity Among University Professors, Benjamin Marte

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

The relationship between job satisfaction and productivity is one that has been examined at great length over the years. Consider Locke’s claim that as of 1976, approximately 3,350 articles on this topic were in circulation (Okpara 2004). In 1992 Cranny et al. reported the existence of at least 5,000 of such manuscripts (Okpara 2004). Numerous studies have been conducted in this field of inquiry, and this paper endeavors to build upon that collective effort. Here, the focus is on the relationship between job satisfaction and productivity among the professors of a major research university in south Florida; while its scope …

New Technology And Record Keeping In Educational Management: Levels Of Secondary School Principals’ Computer Literacy And Phobia, Afolakemi Oredein

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

While research on school improvement is now into its third decade, systematic research on what the principal actually does and its relationship to stability and change is quite recent. Some of the earlier implementation research identified the role of the principal as central to promoting or inhibiting change (Sammons, 1999; Goleman, 2000), but it did not examine the principal’s role in any depth or perspective as regards to the utilization of new technology for record-keeping. During the 1980’s research and practice focusing on the role of the principal-ship, vice-principal-ship, and other school leaders mounted, resulting in greater clarity, but also …

Sports Metaphors As A Motivational Leadership Strategy, Kay Woelfel

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

In schools, the theme of sports can be used throughout the building to motivate staff and students. The students are players, staff members are coaches, and the administration are head coaches. All are necessary members of the team, and all must work together to achieve team goals. This theme kicks off the school year by having a training camp for staff (professional development) to launch the beginning of the school year. Sports-themed snacks including peanuts, popcorn, and crackerjacks and giveaways such as pompoms in school colors, pennants, and sports-themed school supplies generate interest.

Induction And Peer Coaching Programs In A Middle School Setting, Shanti Ladawn Howard

Dissertations

While almost half of new teachers engage in some type of induction program, many programs only offer superficial types of assistance including district-wide orientations, periodic workshops, or instruction in classroom management (Gold, 1996). Some induction programs sponsored by the state institute an evaluation process that applies formulaic criteria for defining teaching behaviors to assess new teacher performances (Darling-Hammond et al., 1999). In the continued search for school improvement, there was a need to propose another option in staff development, e.g., peer coaching.

Peer coaching was examined because induction programs did not attend to the individual needs of alternatively certified teachers. …

A Plan For Facilitating Undergraduate Student Success, Nancy Martin

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

Students are successful when they achieve their maximum potential and are well prepared to become transformative leaders in their chosen fields of study. Easier conceptualized than accomplished, this success is the result of a complex combination of factors and an outgrowth of quality instruction, opportunities for personal growth, access to resources, and a culture of connection with classmates, faculty, staff, and the institution. Each of these areas is an imperative ingredient for student success. Together, these components interact to provide the pathway for the greatest number of students to be successful.

Giving Our Gifted Students A Voice, Theresa Monaco

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

Gifted students continue to struggle in class because they are restricted to learning the standard curriculum (Clark, 2002). Gifted learners cannot be confined to a proficient level of education and therefore the need to advocate on their behalf continues. Not only can the need be recognized by those in the classroom, but also by those outside of the classroom with an interest in gifted and talented education.(Douglas, 2004) (Kaplan, Summer 2004) Each year the students that are enrolled in gifted and talented programs are asked to do an advocacy for gifted and talented education. They take on different approaches with …

Principals’ Strategies For Successfully Closing The Achievement Gaps In Their Schools, Hersh Waxman, Lee Yuan-Hsuan, Angus Macneil

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

One of our greatest educational challenges is reducing the achievement gap between successful and less-successful students. The achievement gap is usually discussed in terms of dramatic differences in graduation rates and the academic achievement between white and minority students such as Hispanics (Waxman, Padrón, and Garcia, 2007). Research in this area typically looks at school districts and/or schools that do better than others in reducing the gaps between groups of students. There are fewer research studies, however, that focus on achievement gaps within schools and classrooms. These “within” school educational disparities often are greater than the differences between schools or …

An Analysis Of The Organizational Patterns Of North Carolina School Districts, David Dunaway, Leigh Ausband

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

School system organization has been described as the skeleton that outlines the structure and determines the form of a school district. (Grove, 2002). Organizational charts are the manifestations of these skeletons. Some are simple; others are more complex – more like nervous systems than skeletons. Whatever metaphor is chosen, understanding the underlying organization of the complex multiple functions of a social group such as a school district is important. Our schools are being asked to educate our children in an ever-increasingly complex and global society. Surely the organization of a school district has an impact on how students are educated …

New Perspectives On Academic Leadership Moving The Research Agenda, Sabine Hotho, Jim Mcgoldrick, Alastair Work

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

The purpose of this paper is threefold: 1. to expand the theory base underpinning academic leadership and HRD; 2. to expand theoretical frameworks to challenge prevailing myths about the ‘unwilling academic manager’; 3. to open up new research avenues and questions which have a better chance of constructively supporting HRD practice in HE.

Student Identification Across School Levels, Roxanne Mitchell

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

Failure to identify with school has been suggested as one explanation for why some students persistently fail to meet academic expectations. Identification with school has been conceptualized as involving a sense of belonging and a valuing of school and school related outcomes (Voelkl 1997). Students who fail to identify with school often experience a host of problems ranging from behavioral problems, social and emotional withdrawal, and academic failure. These students are also at-risk for delinquency and dropping out of school (Finn 1989, Finn & Voelkl 1993, Voelkl 1997). Empirical research thus far has attempted to explain this failure to identify …

The Effect Of Consolidation On Extracurricular Activity Participation, Ibrahim Duyar, David Collins

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

School reform initiatives have often included the controversial practice of school consolidation in an effort to limit the cost and improve the quality of the educational process. While there are both benefits and liabilities in consolidating schools, there are few studies that have determined the impact of consolidation on certain student behaviors such as participation in extracurricular activities (Blake, 2003; Clinchy, 1998; Eisner, 1995; Fanning, 1995; Hawkes, 1992; Hughes, 2003; Jonjak, 2003; Nelson, 1985; Reynolds, 1999; Seal & Harmon, 1995; Self, 2001a, 2001b). Findings are mixed in that some studies have indicated that consolidated schools offer a greater number and …

Expectancy Theory And Its Implications For Employee Motivation, Isaac Mathibe

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

The significance of employee motivation as the panacea of productivity in organizations is illustrated by the volumes of literature on motivation and human productivity. For example, social theorists are of the view that employees are motivated by their needs and they develop through and in relationship with others (Dawson, 1993). The implication of the preceding statement is that when there is synergy between employees’ needs and organizational needs, they – employees – will be more acquiescent to productive tendencies than when their needs are not gratified. Invariably, the balancing of employees’ labour with their social needs and expectations is necessary …

From Social Justice To Collaborative Activism: Changing The Landscape Of Academic Leadership, C. Gause

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

The new millennium arrived with great economic prosperity; however, currently the United State faces a weaker economy, a depressed housing market, a costly Iraq war and all the old problems of the late 20th century; power, race, identity, violence, and ethics. Current challenges for educators: 1) the increase number of charter schools; 2) voucher programs; 3) increases in immigrant populations; 4) for profit educational organizations; 5) inadequate funding for No Child Left Behind; 6) inequities regarding accountability; 7) and the re-segregation of public schools along class/racial lines. These challenges have broad implications for higher education. According to Hopkins (1997) education …

Interaction Patterns In Mathematics Classrooms In Ogun State Secondary Schools, Adebole Ifamuyiwa, Abisola Lawani

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

Interaction among people plays some vital roles in the life of individuals. This is evident in the way people relate with one-another at home, in the school, within the society, and among peer groups. In particular, the relationship between students and their teachers is expected to have a great effect on their lives. The way students learn any subject, Mathematics inclusive, will depend on the teacher’s pattern of classroom interaction. Teacher-student interaction in the classroom is a two-way process. Each participant influences the other’s behaviour; that is, the students condition their teachers’ behaviour and vice- versa. The concept of classroom …

Promise And Possibility: Building Collegial Opportunities For Scholarship, Thomas Lucey

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

The professoriate is a highly individualized endeavor where scholars work independently on projects of their choosing. High stakes issues of retentions and promotions require new faculty members to document a public expertise in scholarship. In one sense, academics are scholarly gamesmen (Maccoby 1976) who attempt to create a scholarly presence while interpreting their colleagues’ patterns of actions and motivations. Such interpretations are created in an environment of “hollowed collegiality” (Massey, Wilger, and Colbeck, 1994) where superficial evidence of active participation often masquerades as community. For many new faculty members, connecting their work to a larger community of scholars can be …

Total Quality Management Culture And Productivity Improvement In Ethiopia Higher Institutions, B.J Ojo

Academic Leadership: The Online Journal (2003-2012)

The desire of all parents is to have qualitative and functional educational programs for their children from nursery school to the university level. This is in conformity with the general belief that a sound education is the only permanent legacy that parents can pass on to their children to ensure their future. However, what we see nowadays is that many countries’ education system is turning out unemployable illiterates. Hallak (1990) emphasized that the quality of the education system depends on the quality of its teachers. Alloy Ejiogu (1990) stated that the quality of education in any given society depend considerably …